We aim to keep our workplaces free from unlawful discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religious belief, disability or contract type. We are committed to ensuring that all staff have the opportunity to achieve their potential and that employment decisions are non-discriminatory.
The number of women engaged in our sector is still relatively low, but the proportion of women that we employ is 28% (2005: 27%), and has increased by a total of 5% in the last 5 years. The proportion of women in senior roles has similarly increased from 13% in 2005 to 16% in 2006. In South Africa we continue to work in conjunction with a number of Black Empowerment Enterprises.
We recognise the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are committed to the principles of the UN Global Compact. We endorse the International Labour Organisation’s (‘ILO’) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and are committed to these guiding principles to ensure that human rights issues do not adversely impact upon our business and the communities in which our employees work. As a knowledge-based business employing technical staff who generally work in an office environment, we believe that the risk of breaches to human rights is low.